‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint

‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint

Greenberg Traurig’s executive chair Richard Rosenbaum has pointed to his firm’s track record for independent thinking as it enters Italy through a merger in Milan.

In July, the northern Italian city will become the location of the Miami-bred firm’s 40th office, after Greenberg absorbs its local ally of 14 years, Santa Maria Studio Legale. Two Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer veterans will also join the firm’s first Italian base: local real estate head Marzio Longo and finance partner Corrado Angelelli, giving it a starting team of around 50 lawyers. Continue reading “‘Independent thinker’ Greenberg Traurig picks Milan as latest step of unusual European footprint”

Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires

Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires

Despite having launched five international offices in Asia and the Middle East since 2012, top-20 UK law firm Addleshaw Goddard had no presence in continental Europe until last month. That was when it announced the hire of five partners from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) to spearhead a launch in Hamburg.

The hires include the two founders of legacy Bryan Cave’s German offices in 2007, Eckart Budelmann and Michael Leue. Partners Martin Lüderitz, Maximilian Karacz and Hubertus Schröder joined the duo in the move from BCLP, alongside five other lawyers. Continue reading “Addleshaws enters continental Europe through BCLP Hamburg hires”

Global Elite line up on Nestlé’s $10bn skincare business sale to EQT

Global Elite line up on Nestlé’s $10bn skincare business sale to EQT

Latham & Watkins is acting alongside US counterpart Kirkland & Ellis in advising EQT as the private equity house looks to acquire Nestlé’s skincare business, in what could be one of the largest transactions in Europe this year.

Nestlé, which is being advised by Linklaters corporate partners David Martin and Michael Honan, confirmed talks with EQT in May following a competitive auction process with rival buyout funds and industry players all eager to make the acquisition. The group of investors includes Canada’s Public Sector Pension Investment Board and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Continue reading “Global Elite line up on Nestlé’s $10bn skincare business sale to EQT”

Dealwatch: Insolvencies provide work for CC and Gateley

Dealwatch: Insolvencies provide work for CC and Gateley
  • Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom advised food chain Pret A Manger as it agreed to acquire all of Eat’s 94 shops for an undisclosed sum. The London team was led by corporate partners Richard Youle, Katja Butler and Linda Davies. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer also advised Pret on antitrust while Travers Smith acted for the selling shareholders.
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  • Gateley fielded insolvency partner Daniel French to act alongside administrator KPMG after Jamie Oliver’s restaurant business collapsed. The insolvency will see 22 of the 25 eateries close, resulting in 1,000 job losses. Continue reading “Dealwatch: Insolvencies provide work for CC and Gateley”

Life during law: Dominic Griffiths

Life during law: Dominic Griffiths

I didn’t plan a career in law. At school I did those career survey things twice and on both occasions it said I should become a fashion designer.

I have been a bar manager in a country house hotel and then a golf club bar. Great fun. Taught me the concept of keeping people in the line happy. I always say to junior lawyers: ‘Make sure you respond quickly to clients.’ It doesn’t mean you produce all the work in half an hour, as long as they know someone is looking after them. Continue reading “Life during law: Dominic Griffiths”

Sponsored briefing: A risk checkup can help companies fight back against fraud

Sponsored briefing: A risk checkup can help companies fight back against fraud

Statistics show that in the UK alone, an estimated 7% of annual turnover is lost to fraud schemes, involving issues such as kickbacks, insider trading, financial statement and invoice fraud, bribery, and even the simple skimming and misappropriation of assets. It is estimated that fraud costs business in the UK over £110bn per year.

Fraud, like any serious disease, spreads if not treated early. It saps corporate reputations and finances, and in the worst cases can prove fatal to an organisation. Reputational damage, in particular, can be devastating. A loss of confidence by shareholders, customers, suppliers and regulators, as well as the potential of litigation in the wake of a fraud, can lead to a drop in share price from which a company may never recover. In addition, if it can be shown that a company’s directors and management have neglected their fiduciary responsibilities, they can be held personally liable for the loss incurred by the company. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: A risk checkup can help companies fight back against fraud”

Sponsored briefing: With great funding comes great responsibility!

Sponsored briefing: With great funding comes great responsibility!

Jacqueline Young from Augusta Ventures discusses the challenge litigation funders face to balance support for access to justice with more commercial considerations

We operate in a strong and growing legal environment. The UK legal services industry is going from strength to strength. A recent report valued the market at £35bn in 2018, with growth forecast at 5% in the coming years. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: With great funding comes great responsibility!”

City elite sees sharp increase in partner promotions and improved female promotion prospects

City elite sees sharp increase in partner promotions and improved female promotion prospects

Magic Circle takes a leaf from US playbook after a parsimonious 2018

This time last year, Legal Business was still lamenting that the post-banking crisis clampdown on promoting partners at City firms had showed little sign of lifting, with the Magic Circle in particular promoting at levels insufficient to sustain partnership sizes. Continue reading “City elite sees sharp increase in partner promotions and improved female promotion prospects”

A special situation – Macfarlanes overcomes lateral reluctance with rare spate of hires

A special situation – Macfarlanes overcomes lateral reluctance with rare spate of hires

Corporate partner Peter Baldwin joins the City outfit from Ropes & Gray

Traditionally reticent to engage in the lateral recruitment market, Macfarlanes has continued its recent flurry of hires, this time recruiting special situations and corporate partner Peter Baldwin from Ropes & Gray. Continue reading “A special situation – Macfarlanes overcomes lateral reluctance with rare spate of hires”